FIFA Ballon d’Or 2013: Jupp Heynckes wins World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football award
By Mike Dyce
On Monday, FIFA hosted their annual Ballon d’Or trophy awards ceremony. The 2013 World Coach of the Year for men’s Football award had three nominees, two of which retired at the end of their seasons. The 2013 World Coach of the Year for men’s Football award went to one of those retired managers, former Bayern Munich head coach Jupp Heynckes.
Heynckes acceptance speech via FIFA.com:
"“I’m tremendously thankful to be here to pick up this award today. It means a lot to pick up an award right at the end of my career. Normally in team sports it is often difficult to put things together like this. It isn’t just down to me this is down to the whole club, Bayern Munich, everybody that has been working with me during this period.“We have been blessed with world class players and they produced amazing performances. The coaching staff have also lent their weight. I want to thank everybody that has pulled together and helped me to produce this winning team.“Maybe ten years ago, I wouldn’t even have dreamt of this. I am humbled and happy to be standing here. Thank you very much.”"
FIFA summed up his accomplishments in the 2013 calendar year:
"The 2012/13 season will live long in the memory of Jupp Heynckes. The 68-year-old has won countless trophies during a distinguished career as a player and coach, but he marked his place in the history books once and for all with Bayern Munich last term when he became the first ever coach to win the treble with a German men’s team. Under Heynckes’ guidance, Bayern romped to the Bundesliga title with six games to spare. This was soon followed by victory in the UEFA Champions League final in May, before they completed their historic treble by lifting the DFB Cup at the end of the season. Pep Guardiola has since succeeded Heynckes at Bayern."
For FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football award, there were three nominees in total. The other two were:
- Sir Alex Ferguson (Scotland/Manchester United FC former coach)
- Jürgen Klopp (Germany/Borussia Dortmund)
The highlight of the night is the Ballon d’Or trophy which goes to the best player in men’s soccer, but there are other awards handed out on the night too, which include: FIFPro World XI, FIFA Women’s World Player of the year and coach of the year for both genders.